For Guardian sport photographer Tom Jenkins, 2024 was a year of capturing history, raw emotion, and the unexpected moments that define elite competition. From the chaotic joy of England's Women's Rugby World Cup victory to the profound personal milestone of his beloved Crystal Palace winning a first major trophy, Jenkins' lens documented the full spectrum of the sporting calendar. In a unique retrospective, he selects his standout images and recounts the compelling narratives that unfolded both in front of and behind the camera.
Moments of Triumph and Raw Emotion
The year was bookended by rugby union triumphs for England. In September, Sarah Bern led the victorious England women's team in an impromptu storming of the BBC's pitch-side studio at Twickenham after their World Cup final win over Canada. "It summed up the spirit of the team," Jenkins recalls of the unplanned celebration in front of 82,000 fans, a record crowd for women's rugby. Earlier in February, Elliot Daly's last-gasp try against France at the same venue, captured in a moment of intense determination, sparked an unbeaten run for the men's side.
For Jenkins, a lifelong fan, Crystal Palace's FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May was uniquely emotional. "It was the most emotional I've ever been covering a sport event," he admits, describing how he photographed through tears as captain Joel Ward celebrated with the club's first major trophy. Similarly poignant was the farewell to Everton's Goodison Park, where Jenkins, coated in blue flare smoke, captured the incredible scenes of devotion.
Technique, Serendipity and the Perfect Shot
Jenkins' work is a blend of meticulous planning and happy accident. At the Emirates Stadium, a favourite venue for its clean backgrounds, he uses remote cameras for Arsenal's set-pieces. At Wimbledon, he masters the 'golden hour' light on Court No.1, using dual exposures to perfectly capture players like Emma Raducanu. Serendipity played its part when a butterfly fluttered past wheelchair tennis champion Tokito Oda mid-celebration, and when Vinícius Júnior's simple act of tying his laces presented an intimate portrait of a global superstar.
His coverage extended beyond mainstream sports, finding beauty and character in the World Tug of War championships in Nottingham and the rare Grand Sumo tournament at London's Royal Albert Hall. A holiday in Siena even yielded shots of the Palio horse race trial, taken with a simple compact camera.
Portraits of Character and the End of Eras
The year also featured powerful portraits. Jenkins captured the quiet strength of South Africa's first black cricket captain, Temba Bavuma, at Arundel, weeks before he led his side to World Test Championship glory. He also navigated a cluttered hotel room to photograph football legend Sir Kenny Dalglish with director Asif Kapadia.
There were moments of heartbreak and farewells: the injury that ended Grigor Dimitrov's Wimbledon dream against Jannik Sinner; the forlorn final England image of Chris Woakes, arm in a sling, walking off at The Oval; and the retirement of England rugby's cult figure and crochet enthusiast, Abby Dow. Each frame tells a story beyond the scoreline, cementing Jenkins' status as a master storyteller with a camera.
